Social class inequalities and international student mobility: the case of Brazilian students in the Portuguese higher education system

Abstract

Brazil experienced since the end of the 20th century an important transformation in its education system. This process included the development and expansion of its higher education system as well as internationalization through investment in the international mobility of Brazilian students. This is in line with global trends on the internationalization of higher education. However, Brazil is also among the countries with higher inequalities. Both migration and education are shaped by social class inequalities however, little is actually known about the influence of class belonging in patterns of international student mobility. Focusing on the case of Brazilian higher education students in Portugal – one of their main destinations – this article examines the role of social class inequalities in international student mobility. Drawing on data collected through interviews with higher education representatives in Portugal and a survey and interviews with Brazilian students in Portugal, we are able to identify how the context of inequalities in Brazil contributes to shape both higher education trajectories (namely in the distinctions between attending private or state institutions) as well as the process and experience of international mobility in Portugal. Very importantly, we highlight the role of the political context in Brazil, including the phase of strong public investment in the fields of higher education and international student mobility and hint some changes following the impeachment of former president Dilma Roussef.